TY - JOUR
T1 - Mental health professional online development (MHPOD)
T2 - A web-based training tool for the non-government community mental health workforce
AU - Ftanou, Maria
AU - Machlin, Anna
AU - Nicholas, Angela
AU - King, Kylie
AU - Fletcher, Justine
AU - Harvey, Carol
AU - Pirkis, Jane
PY - 2014/9/2
Y1 - 2014/9/2
N2 - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness and relevance of the Mental Health Professional Online Development (MHPOD) training package in further developing the skills in mental health and recovery-informed practice of the Australian non-government community mental health workforce. MHPOD is an evidence-based, self-paced, online learning resource that consists of 58 mental health topics.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 349 e-learners were recruited from seven non-overnment community mental health services across Australia. E-learners were invited to complete up to twelve online surveys, a baseline survey, a topic completion survey for each completed topic, and a follow-up survey towards the end of the pilot.Findings – The majority of e-learners indicated that MHPOD was useful for professional development and relevant to their current employment. E-learners identified that MHPOD led to significant improvement in their knowledge and confidence in their ability. A number of enabling factors such as managerial and organizational supports, technical supports and up-to-date and relevant content materials need to be present for the successful implementation of online programs such as MHPOD.Originality/value – Online training packages such MHPOD that a relatively easy to use are helpful in developing knowledge, and confidence in the skills of the mental health workforce. The evaluation findings suggest that MHPOD is a relevant and appropriate training tool for the non-government community mental health sector within Australia.
AB - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness and relevance of the Mental Health Professional Online Development (MHPOD) training package in further developing the skills in mental health and recovery-informed practice of the Australian non-government community mental health workforce. MHPOD is an evidence-based, self-paced, online learning resource that consists of 58 mental health topics.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 349 e-learners were recruited from seven non-overnment community mental health services across Australia. E-learners were invited to complete up to twelve online surveys, a baseline survey, a topic completion survey for each completed topic, and a follow-up survey towards the end of the pilot.Findings – The majority of e-learners indicated that MHPOD was useful for professional development and relevant to their current employment. E-learners identified that MHPOD led to significant improvement in their knowledge and confidence in their ability. A number of enabling factors such as managerial and organizational supports, technical supports and up-to-date and relevant content materials need to be present for the successful implementation of online programs such as MHPOD.Originality/value – Online training packages such MHPOD that a relatively easy to use are helpful in developing knowledge, and confidence in the skills of the mental health workforce. The evaluation findings suggest that MHPOD is a relevant and appropriate training tool for the non-government community mental health sector within Australia.
KW - Mental health
KW - Non-government organizations
KW - Professional development
KW - Workforce development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84915794934&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2014-0014
DO - 10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2014-0014
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84915794934
SN - 1755-6228
VL - 9
SP - 177
EP - 189
JO - The Journal of Mental Health, Training, Education and Practice: Issues for Workforce Development
JF - The Journal of Mental Health, Training, Education and Practice: Issues for Workforce Development
IS - 3
ER -
